SB0218sam001 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Sen. John M. Sullivan

Filed: 4/11/2005

09400SB0218sam001 LRB094 05957 DRH 44578 a

AMENDMENT TO SENATE BILL 218

AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend Senate Bill 218 by replacing everything after the enacting clause with the following:

"Section 5. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by changing Sections 15-102 and 15-111 as follows:

(625 ILCS 5/15-102) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 15-102)

Sec. 15-102. Width of Vehicles.

(a) On Class III and non-designated State and local highways, the total outside width of any vehicle or load thereon shall not exceed 8 feet.

(b) Except during those times when, due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of 1000 feet, the following vehicles may exceed the 8 feet limitation during the period from a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset:

(1) Loads of hay, straw or other similar farm products provided that the load is not more than 12 feet wide.

(2) Implements of husbandry being transported on another vehicle and the transporting vehicle while loaded.

The following requirements apply to the transportation on another vehicle of an implement of husbandry wider than 8 feet 6 inches on the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways or other highways in the system of State highways:

(A) The driver of a vehicle transporting an implement of husbandry that exceeds 8 feet 6 inches in width shall obey all traffic laws and shall check the roadways prior to making a movement in order to ensure that adequate clearance is available for the movement. It is prima facie evidence that the driver of a vehicle transporting an implement of husbandry has failed to check the roadway prior to making a movement if the vehicle is involved in a collision with a bridge, overpass, fixed structure, or properly placed traffic control device or if the vehicle blocks traffic due to its inability to proceed because of a bridge, overpass, fixed structure, or properly placed traffic control device.

(B) Flags shall be displayed so as to wave freely at the extremities of overwidth objects and at the extreme ends of all protrusions, projections, and overhangs. All flags shall be clean, bright red flags with no advertising, wording, emblem, or insignia inscribed upon them and at least 18 inches square.

(C) "OVERSIZE LOAD" signs are mandatory on the front and rear of all vehicles with loads over 10 feet wide. These signs must have 12-inch high black letters with a 2-inch stroke on a yellow sign that is 7 feet wide by 18 inches high.

(D) One civilian escort vehicle is required for a load that exceeds 14 feet 6 inches in width and 2 civilian escort vehicles are required for a load that exceeds 16 feet in width on the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways or other highways in the system of State highways.

(E) The requirements for a civilian escort vehicle and driver are as follows:

(1) The civilian escort vehicle shall be a passenger car or a second division vehicle not exceeding a gross vehicle weight of 8,000 pounds that is designed to afford clear and unobstructed vision to both front and rear.

(2) The escort vehicle driver must be properly licensed to operate the vehicle.

(3) While in use, the escort vehicle must be equipped with illuminated rotating, oscillating, or flashing amber lights or flashing amber strobe lights mounted on top that are of sufficient intensity to be visible at 500 feet in normal sunlight.

(4) "OVERSIZE LOAD" signs are mandatory on all escort vehicles. The sign on an escort vehicle shall have 8-inch high black letters on a yellow sign that is 5 feet wide by 12 inches high.

(5) When only one escort vehicle is required and it is operating on a two-lane highway, the escort vehicle shall travel approximately 300 feet ahead of the load. The rotating, oscillating, or flashing lights or flashing amber strobe lights and an "OVERSIZE LOAD" sign shall be displayed on the escort vehicle and shall be visible from the front. When only one escort vehicle is required and it is operating on a multilane divided highway, the escort vehicle shall travel approximately 300 feet behind the load and the sign and lights shall be visible from the rear.

(6) When 2 escort vehicles are required, one escort shall travel approximately 300 feet ahead of the load and the second escort shall travel approximately 300 feet behind the load. The rotating, oscillating, or flashing lights or flashing amber strobe lights and an "OVERSIZE LOAD" sign shall be displayed on the escort vehicles and shall be visible from the front on the lead escort and from the rear on the trailing escort.

(7) When traveling within the corporate limits of a municipality, the escort vehicle shall maintain a reasonable and proper distance from the oversize load, consistent with existing traffic conditions.

(8) A separate escort shall be provided for each load hauled.

(9) The driver of an escort vehicle shall obey all traffic laws.

(10) The escort vehicle must be in safe operational condition.

(11) The driver of the escort vehicle must be in radio contact with the driver of the vehicle carrying the oversize load.

(F) A transport vehicle while under load of more than 8 feet 6 inches in width must be equipped with an illuminated rotating, oscillating, or flashing amber light or lights or a flashing amber strobe light or lights mounted on the top of the cab that are of sufficient intensity to be visible at 500 feet in normal sunlight. If the load on the transport vehicle blocks the visibility of the amber lighting from the rear of the vehicle, the vehicle must also be equipped with an illuminated rotating, oscillating, or flashing amber light or lights or a flashing amber strobe light or lights mounted on the rear of the load that are of sufficient intensity to be visible at 500 feet in normal sunlight.

(G) When a flashing amber light is required on the transport vehicle under load and it is operating on a two-lane highway, the transport vehicle shall display to the rear at least one rotating, oscillating, or flashing light or a flashing amber strobe light and an "OVERSIZE LOAD" sign. When a flashing amber light is required on the transport vehicle under load and it is operating on a multilane divided highway, the sign and light shall be visible from the rear.

(H) Maximum speed shall be 45 miles per hour on all such moves or 5 miles per hour above the posted minimum speed limit, whichever is greater, but the vehicle shall not at any time exceed the posted maximum speed limit.

(3) Portable buildings designed and used for agricultural and livestock raising operations that are not more than 14 feet wide and with not more than a 1 foot overhang along the left side of the hauling vehicle. However, the buildings shall not be transported more than 10 miles and not on any route that is part of the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways.

All buildings when being transported shall display at least 2 red cloth flags, not less than 12 inches square, mounted as high as practicable on the left and right side of the building.

A State Police escort shall be required if it is necessary for this load to use part of the left lane when crossing any 2 laned State highway bridge.

(c) Vehicles propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires operated wholly within the corporate limits of a municipality are also exempt from the width limitation.

(d) Exemptions are also granted to vehicles designed for the carrying of more than 10 persons under the following conditions:

(1) (Blank);

(2) When operated within any public transportation service with the approval of local authorities or an appropriate public body authorized by law to provide public transportation. Any vehicle so operated may be 8 feet 6 inches in width; or

(3) When a county engineer or superintendent of highways, after giving due consideration to the mass transportation needs of the area and to the width and condition of the road, has determined that the operation of buses wider than 8 feet will not pose an undue safety hazard on a particular county or township road segment, he or she may authorize buses not to exceed 8 feet 6 inches in width on any highway under that engineer's or superintendent's jurisdiction.

(e) A vehicle and load traveling upon the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways or any other highway in the system of State highways that has been designated as a Class I or Class II highway by the Department, or any street or highway designated by local authorities, may have a total outside width of 8 feet 6 inches, provided that certain safety devices that the Department determines as necessary for the safe and efficient operation of motor vehicles shall not be included in the calculation of width.

(e-1) In a city with a population of 2,000,000 or more, a A vehicle and load more than 8 feet wide but not exceeding 8 feet 6 inches in width is allowed access according to the following:

(1) A vehicle and load not exceeding 73,280 pounds in weight is allowed access from any State designated highway onto any county, township, or municipal highway for a distance of 5 highway miles for the purpose of loading and unloading, provided:

(A) The vehicle and load does not exceed 65 feet overall length.

(B) There is no sign prohibiting that access.

(C) The route is not being used as a thoroughfare between State designated highways.

(2) A vehicle and load not exceeding 73,280 pounds in weight is allowed access from any State designated highway onto any county or township highway for a distance of 5 highway miles or onto any municipal highway for a distance of one highway mile for the purpose of food, fuel, repairs, and rest, provided:

(A) The vehicle and load does not exceed 65 feet overall length.

(B) There is no sign prohibiting that access.

(C) The route is not being used as a thoroughfare between State designated highways.

(3) A vehicle and load not exceeding 80,000 pounds in weight is allowed access from a Class I highway onto any street or highway for a distance of one highway mile for the purpose of loading, unloading, food, fuel, repairs, and rest, provided there is no sign prohibiting that access.

(4) A vehicle and load not exceeding 80,000 pounds in weight is allowed access from a Class I or Class II highway onto any State highway or any locally designated highway for a distance of 5 highway miles for the purpose of loading, unloading, food, fuel, repairs, and rest.

(5) A trailer or semi-trailer not exceeding 28 feet 6 inches in length, that was originally in combination with a truck tractor, shall have unlimited access to points of loading and unloading.

(6) All household goods carriers shall have unlimited access to points of loading and unloading.

Section 5-35 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act relating to procedures for rulemaking shall not apply to the designation of highways under this paragraph (e).

(e-2) Outside of a city with a population of 2,000,000 or more, a vehicle and load more than 8 feet wide but not exceeding 8 feet 6 inches in width is allowed access according to the following:

(1) A vehicle and load not exceeding weights specified subsection (f) of Section 15-111 is allowed access from any designated highway onto any State, county, township, or municipal highway for the purpose of loading and unloading, provided:

(A) The vehicle and load does not exceed 65 feet overall length.

(B) There is no sign prohibiting that access.

(C) The route is not being used as a thoroughfare between designated highways.

(D) The course of travel taken to or from the designated route form or to the point of loading and unloading is the shortest practical in the general direction of the destination.

(2) A vehicle and load not exceeding weights specified in subsection (f) of Section 15-111 is allowed access from any designated highway onto any State, county, or township highway or onto any municipal highway for a distance of one highway mile for the purpose of food, fuel, repairs, and rest, provided:

(A) The vehicle and load does not exceed 65 feet overall length.

(B) There is no sign prohibiting that access.

(C) The route is not being used as a thoroughfare between designated highways.

(D) The course of travel taken to or from the designated route from or to the point of food, fuel, repairs, or rest is the shortest practical in the general direction of the destination.

(3) A trailer or semi-trailer not exceeding 28 feet 6 inches in length, that was originally in combination with a truck tractor, shall have unlimited access to points of loading and unloading.

(4) All household goods carriers shall have unlimited access to points of loading and unloading.

(f) Mirrors required by Section 12-502 of this Code and other safety devices identified by the Department may project up to 14 inches beyond each side of a bus and up to 6 inches beyond each side of any other vehicle, and that projection shall not be deemed a violation of the width restrictions of this Section.

(g) Any person who is convicted of violating this Section is subject to the penalty as provided in paragraph (b) of Section 15-113.

(Source: P.A. 92-417, eff. 1-1-02; 93-177, eff. 7-11-03.)

(625 ILCS 5/15-111) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 15-111)

Sec. 15-111. Wheel and axle loads and gross weights.

(a) On non-designated highways, no vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped with pneumatic tires may be operated, unladen or with load, when the total weight transmitted to the road surface exceeds 18,000 pounds on a single axle or 32,000 pounds on a tandem axle with no axle within the tandem exceeding 18,000 pounds except:

(1) when a different limit is established and posted in accordance with Section 15-316 of this Code;

(2) vehicles for which the Department of Transportation and local authorities issue overweight permits under authority of Section 15-301 of this Code;

(3) tow trucks subject to the conditions provided in subsection (d) may not exceed 24,000 pounds on a single rear axle or 44,000 pounds on a tandem rear axle;

(4) any single axle of a 2-axle truck weighing 36,000 pounds or less and not a part of a combination of vehicles, shall not exceed 20,000 pounds;

(5) any single axle of a 2-axle truck equipped with a personnel lift or digger derrick, weighing 36,000 pounds or less, owned and operated by a public utility, shall not exceed 20,000 pounds;

(6) any single axle of a 2-axle truck specially equipped with a front loading compactor used exclusively for garbage, refuse, or recycling may not exceed 20,000 pounds per axle, provided that the gross weight of the vehicle does not exceed 40,000 pounds;

(7) a truck, not in combination and specially equipped with a selfcompactor or an industrial roll-off hoist and roll-off container, used exclusively for garbage or refuse operations may, when laden, transmit upon the road surface the following maximum weights: 22,000 pounds on a single axle; 40,000 pounds on a tandem axle;

(8) a truck, not in combination and used exclusively for the collection of rendering materials, may, when laden, transmit upon the road surface the following maximum weights: 22,000 pounds on a single axle; 40,000 pounds on a tandem axle;

(9) tandem axles on a 3-axle truck registered as a Special Hauling Vehicle, manufactured prior to or in the model year of 2014 and first registered in Illinois prior to January 1, 2015, with a distance greater than 72 inches but not more than 96 inches between any series of 2 axles, is allowed a combined weight on the series not to exceed 36,000 pounds and neither axle of the series may exceed 18,000 pounds. Any vehicle of this type manufactured after the model year of 2014 or first registered in Illinois after December 31, 2014 may not exceed a combined weight of 32,000 pounds through the series of 2 axles and neither axle of the series may exceed 18,000 pounds;

(10) tandem axles on a 4-axle truck mixer, whose fourth axle is a road surface engaging mixer trailing axle, registered as a Special Hauling Vehicle, used exclusively for the mixing and transportation of concrete and manufactured prior to or in the model year of 2014 and first registered in Illinois prior to January 1, 2015, with a distance greater than 72 inches but not more than 96 inches between any series of 2 axles, is allowed a combined weight on the series not to exceed 36,000 pounds and neither axle of the series may exceed 18,000 pounds. Any vehicle of this type manufactured after the model year of 2014 or first registered in Illinois after December 31, 2014 may not exceed a combined weight of 32,000 pounds through the series of 2 axles and neither axle of the series may exceed 18,000 pounds;

(11) 4-axle vehicles or a 5 or more axle combination of vehicles: The weight transmitted upon the road surface through any series of 3 axles whose centers are more than 96 inches apart, measured between extreme axles in the series, may not exceed those allowed in the table contained in subsection (f) of this Section. No axle or tandem axle of the series may exceed the maximum weight permitted under this Section for a single or tandem axle.

No vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped with other than pneumatic tires may be operated, unladen or with load, upon the highways of this State when the gross weight on the road surface through any wheel exceeds 800 pounds per inch width of tire tread or when the gross weight on the road surface through any axle exceeds 16,000 pounds.

(b) On non-designated highways, the gross weight of vehicles and combination of vehicles including the weight of the vehicle or combination and its maximum load shall be subject to the foregoing limitations and further shall not exceed the following gross weights dependent upon the number of axles and distance between extreme axles of the vehicle or combination measured longitudinally to the nearest foot.

VEHICLES HAVING 2 AXLES ....................... 36,000 pounds

VEHICLES OR COMBINATIONS

HAVING 3 AXLES

VEHICLES OPERATING ON CRAWLER TYPE TRACKS ..... 40,000 pounds

TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SELFCOMPACTORS

OR ROLL-OFF HOISTS AND ROLL-OFF CONTAINERS FOR GARBAGE

OR REFUSE HAULS ONLY AND TRUCKS USED FOR

THE COLLECTION OF RENDERING MATERIALS

On Highway Not Part of National System

of Interstate and Defense Highways

with 2 axles 36,000 pounds

with 3 axles 54,000 pounds

TWO AXLE TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH

A FRONT LOADING COMPACTOR USED EXCLUSIVELY

FOR THE COLLECTION OF GARBAGE, REFUSE, OR RECYCLING

with 2 axles 40,000 pounds

(c) Cities having a population of more than 50,000 may permit by ordinance axle loads on 2 axle motor vehicles 33 1/2% above those provided for herein, but the increase shall not become effective until the city has officially notified the Department of the passage of the ordinance and shall not apply to those vehicles when outside of the limits of the city, nor shall the gross weight of any 2 axle motor vehicle operating over any street of the city exceed 40,000 pounds.

(d) Weight limitations shall not apply to vehicles (including loads) operated by a public utility when transporting equipment required for emergency repair of public utility facilities or properties or water wells.

A combination of vehicles, including a tow truck and a disabled vehicle or disabled combination of vehicles, that exceeds the weight restriction imposed by this Code, may be operated on a public highway in this State provided that neither the disabled vehicle nor any vehicle being towed nor the tow truck itself shall exceed the weight limitations permitted under this Chapter. During the towing operation, neither the tow truck nor the vehicle combination shall exceed 24,000 pounds on a single rear axle and 44,000 pounds on a tandem rear axle, provided the towing vehicle:

(1) is specifically designed as a tow truck having a gross vehicle weight rating of at least 18,000 pounds and is equipped with air brakes, provided that air brakes are required only if the towing vehicle is towing a vehicle, semitrailer, or tractor-trailer combination that is equipped with air brakes;

(2) is equipped with flashing, rotating, or oscillating amber lights, visible for at least 500 feet in all directions;

(3) is capable of utilizing the lighting and braking systems of the disabled vehicle or combination of vehicles; and

(4) does not engage in a tow exceeding 20 miles from the initial point of wreck or disablement. Any additional movement of the vehicles may occur only upon issuance of authorization for that movement under the provisions of Sections 15-301 through 15-319 of this Code. The towing vehicle, however, may tow any disabled vehicle from the initial point of wreck or disablement to a point where repairs are actually to occur. This movement shall be valid only on State routes. The tower must abide by posted bridge weight limits.

Gross weight limits shall not apply to the combination of the tow truck and vehicles being towed. The tow truck license plate must cover the operating empty weight of the tow truck only. The weight of each vehicle being towed shall be covered by a valid license plate issued to the owner or operator of the vehicle being towed and displayed on that vehicle. If no valid plate issued to the owner or operator of that vehicle is displayed on that vehicle, or the plate displayed on that vehicle does not cover the weight of the vehicle, the weight of the vehicle shall be covered by the third tow truck plate issued to the owner or operator of the tow truck and temporarily affixed to the vehicle being towed.

The Department may by rule or regulation prescribe additional requirements. However, nothing in this Code shall prohibit a tow truck under instructions of a police officer from legally clearing a disabled vehicle, that may be in violation of weight limitations of this Chapter, from the roadway to the berm or shoulder of the highway. If in the opinion of the police officer that location is unsafe, the officer is authorized to have the disabled vehicle towed to the nearest place of safety.

For the purpose of this subsection, gross vehicle weight rating, or GVWR, shall mean the value specified by the manufacturer as the loaded weight of the tow truck.

(e) No vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped with pneumatic tires shall be operated, unladen or with load, upon the highways of this State in violation of the provisions of any permit issued under the provisions of Sections 15-301 through 15-319 of this Chapter.

(f) On designated Class I, II, or III highways and the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, no vehicle or combination of vehicles with pneumatic tires may be operated, unladen or with load, when the total weight on the road surface exceeds the following: 20,000 pounds on a single axle; 34,000 pounds on a tandem axle with no axle within the tandem exceeding 20,000 pounds; 80,000 pounds gross weight for vehicle combinations of 5 or more axles; or a total weight on a group of 2 or more consecutive axles in excess of that weight produced by the application of the following formula: W = 500 times the sum of (LN divided by N-1) + 12N + 36, where "W" equals overall total weight on any group of 2 or more consecutive axles to the nearest 500 pounds, "L" equals the distance measured to the nearest foot between extremes of any group of 2 or more consecutive axles, and "N" equals the number of axles in the group under consideration.

The above formula when expressed in tabular form results in allowable loads as follows:

Distance measured to the nearest foot between the extremes of any Maximum weight in pounds group of 2 or of any group of more consecutive 2 or more consecutive axles axles

*If the distance between 2 axles is 96 inches or less, the 2 axles are tandem axles and the maximum total weight may not exceed 34,000 pounds, notwithstanding the higher limit resulting from the application of the formula.

Vehicles not in a combination having more than 4 axles may not exceed the weight in the table in this subsection (f) for 4 axles measured between the extreme axles of the vehicle.

Vehicles in a combination having more than 6 axles may not exceed the weight in the table in this subsection (f) for 6 axles measured between the extreme axles of the combination.

Local authorities, with respect to streets and highways under their jurisdiction, without additional fees, may also by ordinance or resolution allow the weight limitations of this subsection, provided the maximum gross weight on any one axle shall not exceed 20,000 pounds and the maximum total weight on any tandem axle shall not exceed 34,000 pounds, on designated highways when appropriate regulatory signs giving notice are erected upon the street or highway or portion of any street or highway affected by the ordinance or resolution.

The following are exceptions to the above formula:

(1) Two consecutive sets of tandem axles may carry a total weight of 34,000 pounds each if the overall distance between the first and last axles of the consecutive sets of tandem axles is 36 feet or more.

(2) Vehicles for which a different limit is established and posted in accordance with Section 15-316 of this Code.

(3) Vehicles for which the Department of Transportation and local authorities issue overweight permits under authority of Section 15-301 of this Code. These vehicles are not subject to the bridge formula.

(4) Tow trucks subject to the conditions provided in subsection (d) may not exceed 24,000 pounds on a single rear axle or 44,000 pounds on a tandem rear axle.

(5) A tandem axle on a 3-axle truck registered as a Special Hauling Vehicle, manufactured prior to or in the model year of 2014, and registered in Illinois prior to January 1, 2015, with a distance between 2 axles in a series greater than 72 inches but not more than 96 inches may not exceed a total weight of 36,000 pounds and neither axle of the series may exceed 18,000 pounds.

(6) A truck not in combination, equipped with a self compactor or an industrial roll-off hoist and roll-off container, used exclusively for garbage or refuse operations, may, when laden, transmit upon the road surface, except when on part of the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, the following maximum weights: 22,000 pounds on a single axle; 40,000 pounds on a tandem axle; 36,000 pounds gross weight on a 2-axle vehicle; 54,000 pounds gross weight on a 3-axle vehicle. This vehicle is not subject to the bridge formula.

(7) Combinations of vehicles, registered as Special Hauling Vehicles that include a semitrailer manufactured prior to or in the model year of 2014, and registered in Illinois prior to January 1, 2015, having 5 axles with a distance of 42 feet or less between extreme axles, may not exceed the following maximum weights: 18,000 pounds on a single axle; 32,000 pounds on a tandem axle; and 72,000 pounds gross weight. This combination of vehicles is not subject to the bridge formula. For all those combinations of vehicles that include a semitrailer manufactured after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 92nd General Assembly, the overall distance between the first and last axles of the 2 sets of tandems must be 18 feet 6 inches or more. Any combination of vehicles that has had its cargo container replaced in its entirety after December 31, 2014 may not exceed the weights allowed by the bridge formula.

No vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped with other than pneumatic tires may be operated, unladen or with load, upon the highways of this State when the gross weight on the road surface through any wheel exceeds 800 pounds per inch width of tire tread or when the gross weight on the road surface through any axle exceeds 16,000 pounds.

(f-1) In a city with a population of 2,000,000 or more, a A vehicle and load not exceeding 73,280 pounds is allowed access as follows:

(1) From any State designated highway onto any county, township, or municipal highway for a distance of 5 highway miles for the purpose of loading and unloading, provided:

(A) The vehicle and load does not exceed 8 feet 6 inches in width and 65 feet overall length.

(B) There is no sign prohibiting that access.

(C) The route is not being used as a thoroughfare between State designated highways.

(2) From any State designated highway onto any county or township highway for a distance of 5 highway miles, or any municipal highway for a distance of one highway mile for the purpose of food, fuel, repairs, and rest, provided:

(A) The vehicle and load does not exceed 8 feet 6 inches in width and 65 feet overall length.

(B) There is no sign prohibiting that access.

(C) The route is not being used as a thoroughfare between State designated highways.

(f-2) In a city with a population of 2,000,000 or more, a A vehicle and load greater than 73,280 pounds in weight but not exceeding 80,000 pounds is allowed access as follows:

(1) From a Class I highway onto any street or highway for a distance of one highway mile for the purpose of loading, unloading, food, fuel, repairs, and rest, provided there is no sign prohibiting that access.

(2) From a Class I, II, or III highway onto any State highway or any local designated highway for a distance of 5 highway miles for the purpose of loading, unloading, food, fuel, repairs, and rest.

Section 5-35 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act relating to procedures for rulemaking shall not apply to the designation of highways under this subsection.

(f-3) Outside of a city with a population of 2,000,000 or more, a vehicle and load not exceeding the weight limitations specified in subsection (f) is allowed access, from any designated highway onto any non-designated highway for the purpose of loading, unloading, food, fuel, repairs, and rest, provided:

(1) The vehicle and load does not exceed 8 feet 6 inches in width and 65 feet overall length.

(2) There is no sign prohibiting that access.

(3) The route is not being used as a thoroughfare between designated highways.

(4) The course of travel taken to or from the designated route from or to the point of loading, unloading, food, fuel, repairs, or rest is the shortest route practical in the general direction of the destination.

(g) No person shall operate a vehicle or combination of vehicles over a bridge or other elevated structure constituting part of a highway with a gross weight that is greater than the maximum weight permitted by the Department, when the structure is sign posted as provided in this Section.

(h) The Department upon request from any local authority shall, or upon its own initiative may, conduct an investigation of any bridge or other elevated structure constituting a part of a highway, and if it finds that the structure cannot with safety to itself withstand the weight of vehicles otherwise permissible under this Code the Department shall determine and declare the maximum weight of vehicles that the structures can withstand, and shall cause or permit suitable signs stating maximum weight to be erected and maintained before each end of the structure. No person shall operate a vehicle or combination of vehicles over any structure with a gross weight that is greater than the posted maximum weight.

(i) Upon the trial of any person charged with a violation of subsections (g) or (h) of this Section, proof of the determination of the maximum allowable weight by the Department and the existence of the signs, constitutes conclusive evidence of the maximum weight that can be maintained with safety to the bridge or structure.

(Source: P.A. 92-417, eff. 1-1-02; 93-177, eff. 7-11-03; 93-186, eff. 1-1-04; 93-1023, eff. 8-25-04.)".